Drake's Gun Dogs

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/LRKBVarQwooti63n/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Meet the ruffed grouse! Ruffed grouse are the most widely distributed resident game bird in North America, found in 39 U.S. States and all Canadian provinces. In the Eastern U.S., their range extends from Maine down to the North Georgia mountains where they are found in high elevations and have a long history and importance to the hunters in the Blue Ridge region. These ground-nesting birds are slightly larger than a pigeon and will typically only fly short distances to safety after being flushed. They are best known for their spring mating ritual, during which males will beat the air with their wings to create a loud drumming sound. The drumming, which can sound like a small engine firing up, is a courtship display to attract females. Despite their wide distribution across the eastern portion of their range, ruffed grouse populations have declined by approximately 70%, which has primarily been driven by habitat loss. In response, WRD has partnered with the University of Georgia to study their populations in the northern part of our state. This research will monitor trends in their populations by estimating the effects of hunting harvests and analyzing the genetic connectivity of local populations of grouse. As part of this research, UGA and WRD staff are placing Automated Recording Units in areas of grouse habitat to record drumming, as well as conducting roadside drumming surveys. Genetic samples are also being collected from hunter-harvested and road-killed grouse along with found grouse feathers or s**t. #RuffedGrouse #GameBird #GameManagement

WHAT A DAY!!!!! There’s so much joy that comes from watching a dog run and use their God given talents. I love watching young dogs come into themselves. When your yard work and exposure start to finally come together for them. They’re so special. Pumba has been really turning his wheels lately. He’s had a solid bit of exposure to wild birds this season. We’ve been patient with him in the yard, but at times he seems like he doesn’t quite understand “whoa”. So I started implementing it during feed time. When we’ve had time to kill after a hunt, I’ve put him on the ground to play cleanup on our liberated hunts. He’s been slow to put 2+2 together. But today, it finally clicked! He did bust one, but We got 3 absolutely stunning points from him that he held all the way through the flush. Included is a picture of his dad and mentor, Si pointing a bird that lit a tree🤣 and the always stylish Peach and Ruby. Love them and give them the chance to succeed and they will!

A few days ago while checking up on cows, we took with us. Had a random dove cross the path. Shot him. Jager, who was in the woods doing Lord knows what. He came busting out of the edge cover like the Kool-Aid Man when he heard the shot. Having never seen or smelled a dove, I pointed him in the direction the bird went down and sure enough, he found it. It’s always fun watching a dog interact with a species the haven’t smelled or tasted.

Got drawn for a public land dove hunt today. The info on location was nonexistent, and the help lady was not helpful. So, we got there late. When we finally set up shop and I saw plenty of birds flying, but the way the cover was, most of the shooting was high passing shots. I few came in decent range; we put one down.

This rabbit was shot over Peach and Darcy last season. We did a make shift Rabbit Polenta

As blessed as we are with a great population of all our target species, dove are the one thing that just vanish. They live here year round, then when opening day comes around… Boop…gone…. All the way to Argentina apparently…
So anyways, it was cool to actually see a couple this morning while checking on cows. This is the very first opening day dove we’ve ever put down.
Thanks to for finding him